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Sustainable Urbanisation

GS- I >> Indian Society>> Urbanisation

Context: The urgent need to shift from traditional urban development strategies to more sustainable and ecologically friendly approaches.

About Sustainable Urbanisation:

• Sustainable urban development is a complex issue that involves balancing the needs of a growing population with the preservation of natural resources and the environment.
• Urbanization trends: The ongoing shift from rural to urban living with a gradual increase in urban population.
• Historical perspective: In 1901, only 11.4% of the Indian population resided in urban areas, contrasting with the estimated projection of 40% urban population by 2025 according to UNDESA.

Global urbanisation trends:

• Current urbanization: The world is experiencing rapid urbanization, with 4.2 billion people, equivalent to 55% of the global population, residing in urban areas.
• Future projections: UNFPA predicts that by 2030, this urban population will exceed 5 billion, and by 2050, 68% of the world’s inhabitants will be living in cities.
• Economic significance: Cities serve as vital economic hubs, contributing more than 80% to the global gross national.
• Sustainable urbanization: Despite the urbanization trend, the present urban development often falls short in terms of sustainable city concepts, necessitating a focus on sustainability.

Challenges in Indian urban development:

• Indian urban development has traditionally focused on real estate, road expansion, and private vehicle usage, leading to pollution and traffic congestion.
• Motorized transport alone accounts for 60% of urban pollution.
• Urban commons, green areas, and water bodies have shrunk while ‘grey’ infrastructure expanded.
• Automobile market growth exacerbates urban pollution issues.
• Construction activities, which contribute to 10% of air pollution in some cities, lack effective monitoring.
• Pollution crisis:
  • Air pollution severely impacts life expectancy and health, causing problems like burning eyes, throat irritation, respiratory issues, and cardiovascular diseases.
  • 39 out of the 50 most polluted cities globally are in India, with an average Indian losing 5.3 years of life expectancy due to pollution, and Delhi residents losing 11.9 years.
  • Expansion of ‘grey’ infrastructure, increased vehicular emissions, and construction activities contribute to pollution in Indian cities.
  • Road dust, concrete batching, and industrial units further worsen air quality.

Significance of sustainable urbanisation:

• Ensuring access to clean water: Sustainable urbanization addresses water scarcity challenges, vital for urban areas.
• Promoting affordable housing: Equitable land management through sustainable planning aids affordable housing initiatives.
• Effective waste management: Sustainable planning addresses the need for better waste treatment in fast-growing cities.
• Enhanced transportation: Eco-friendly public transport solutions are a key aspect of sustainable urban planning.
• Equitable resource allocation: Sustainable planning promotes fair distribution of resources and affordable services.
• Environmental sustainability: It contributes to creating eco-friendly environments and disaster management.

Government measures:

• Atal Mission for Urban Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT): To provide basic services and infrastructure in urban areas for a better quality of life.
• Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Urban (PMAY-U): To provide affordable housing for all urban residents by 2022.
• Climate Smart Cities Assessment Framework 2.0: To assess and promote climate-resilient and sustainable practices in cities.
• TULIP-The Urban Learning Internship Program: To provide opportunities for students to gain practical experience in urban planning and development.
• Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan (Self-Reliant India): To promote self-reliance and economic growth, which includes initiatives related to urban development.

Way forward:

• Organized urban planning: Green Infrastructure; Mixed-Use Spaces; Alternative Energy; Public-Private Partnerships
• Urban employment guarantee: Similar to MGNREGA; Indira Gandhi Scheme
• Green transport: Rethinking Public Transport; E-Buses; Bus Corridors; Bus Rapid Transit
• Formalization of informal economy: Migrant Data; Unorganised Worker Index Card
• Democratization of sustainable development: Shift to Sustainable Focus; Citizen Participation; Participative Budgeting; Sustainability Impact Assessments

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